Tim Tebow had his inaugural press conference at Florham Park, NJ last week and officially became a member of the New York Jets. The minute the trade was announced that Tebow would be going to the Jets, it was already a foregone conclusion that there would be a quarterback controversy between him and Mark Sanchez. How would this move help the Jets, a team that has several holes to fill on the defensive and offensive lines, as well as with the receiving corps?

If anything the move brings a positive leader to the Jets locker room. Michael Kay and Don La Greca had attempted to get a hold of Tebow right after his press conference last week, but were unsuccessful. Before the week concluded the afternoon drive team at ESPN New York got their man for the exclusive.

Tim Tebow joined ESPN New York with The Michael Kay Show to discuss being viewed as a distraction for the New York Jets, backing up Mark Sanchez this season, his decision to chose the New York Jets over the Jacksonville Jaguars, Antonio Cromartie’s comments on Twitter against him joining the Jets and when he’ll be a starting quarterback in the NFL again.

Can you see why you becoming a member of the New York Jets would be viewed as a distraction?

“I’ve been really blessed to have some great support, so has Mark and Mark is a very secure player. He’s a very classy man. He goes out there and takes care of his business and works extremely hard and we’ve had a great relationship ever since he hosted me on my recruiting visit to USC and we’ve kept in contact and seen each other quite a few times since then, so I feel like our relationship can be one that will be mutually beneficial to the both of us and hopefully we can encourage one another and it’ll be something that will make us both compete and improve and just reach our potential.”

Is your goal to back up Mark Sanchez or compete for the starting quarterback job?

“My plan is to go in there and try to be the best quarterback that I can be, to try to improve every single day, to try to be someone that can help this New York Jet football team . . . to try to win football games, however that is, and reach my potential, be the best quarterback, the best teammate, best football player that I can be, and just be someone that can add something to that locker room. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Why did you chose the Jets over your hometown Jaguars because it could be argued that you could have saved football for Jacksonville?

“Well ultimately it truly wasn’t up to me. They were in charge of it. I was very grateful they gave me an opportunity to talk to Coach Fox on the phone and talk through the situations and coach was talking to me and listening to me. Ultimately it was up to them because I’m sure the deal could have been different and they could have offered different picks or what not, but ultimately it was up to the Broncos, but I did tell them I would look forward to being a Jet and I would love playing for Coach Ryan and that Coach Sparano and Coach Cavanaugh and the coaches and the front office of the New York Jets and Mr. Johnson and Mike Tannenbaum. I just think it’s an organization that wants to win and when you are playing for the New York Jets you are playing for a tough football team. You are playing for a physical football team and it’s exciting to be on that team, but at the same time I would have loved to be a Jaguar and play in my hometown, but it is an honor to be a Jet and to be able to be a part of a great organization, a great franchise and I’m truly honored by it.”

What did you make of Antonio Cromartie’s comments on twitter when the trade was made about you? He said the Jets didn’t need you on the team and were set at the quarterback position with Mark Sanchez:

“I think it’s great because he had his quarterback’s back, which is what you want. I commend him for doing that. I’ve been friends with Cromartie even though he is an FSU guy — it’s hard to say — but I’ve been friends with him for two or three years back from the ESPYS. I have a lot of respect for him. I feel he has respect for me. . . . He was sticking up for his quarterback. And good for him.”

Are you ever going to be a starting quarterback in the NFL again?

“You know what? I’m not sure. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds my future. And that’s something that has always given me peace and comfort. That’s why I don’t have to worry about the future. I can just worry about today and worry about becoming better as a football player, as a person.”